ESA’s ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi Undocking from ISS on October 17, 2012

On October 17, 2012, the European Space Agency’s Automated Transfer Vehicle 3 (ATV-3), named Edoardo Amaldi, successfully undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) following the completion of its operational mission. This event marked a key moment in the cooperation between ESA and other international partners in maintaining and resupplying the orbiting laboratory.

Background

The ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi was the third in a series of Automated Transfer Vehicles deployed by ESA to support the ISS. These vehicles were crucial in delivering necessary supplies to sustain the continuous human presence aboard the station. Edoardo Amaldi was launched atop an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana on March 23, 2012.

Mission Objectives

During its mission, the ATV-3 delivered approximately 6.6 tons of cargo to the ISS, including:

• Fuel: Propellant for the ISS’s onboard thrusters, which are used for station-keeping maneuvers.
• Water, Air, and Gases: Essential life support elements for the crew aboard the ISS.
• Dry Cargo: This included food, clothes, scientific equipment, and other miscellaneous supplies necessary for research and daily activities.

Edoardo Amaldi also provided a boost to the station’s altitude through engine burns, countering the natural orbital decay experienced by the ISS due to atmospheric drag.

Undocking and Aftermath

The undocking was executed as planned, with the ATV-3 departing from the aft port of the ISS’s Zvezda module. After leaving the station, Edoardo Amaldi was directed into a controlled deorbit trajectory that led it to safely burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere over the southern Pacific Ocean. This ensured that no debris would pose a hazard to populated areas.

Significance

The successful mission and undocking of the Edoardo Amaldi underscored the collaborative efforts and technical capabilities of ESA in international space endeavors. It also paved the way for subsequent ATV missions, contributing to the continued success and sustainability of the ISS program.

By providing critical resupply and reboost operations, the ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi played an integral role in supporting human life and scientific research aboard the ISS, reflecting the significance of international partnerships in exploring and utilizing space.